Now I would say to you all, as you fear the curse of GOD upon this nation, as you would secure the continuance of His favour and blessing, and of that peace which England has so long enjoyed, abstain from signing that petition; abstain from attending public meetings upon the subject; use all your influence to prevent others from doing so. I am quite sure that this proceeding will meet with no countenance or sanction from the Civic Authorities of this town. We are blessed with rulers, who, as I believe, have made “the fear of the LORD” the great principle which actuates them in their public conduct, and which will lead them to use the authority and influence which, in His providence, He has committed to them, for the maintenance of His honour and glory. I need not remind you what will surely follow this step, unless, by GOD’S gracious interposition, it be averted. The opening of the theatres and of all places of public amusement on the Sunday will take place, and everything which now distinguishes GOD’S day from the days of our worldly business be at an end. This must be the inevitable consequence of once opening the door to the desecration of the Sabbath. How then shall the Church of CHRIST be able effectually to stem the torrent of vice which will sweep over this land? How check the march of infidelity, which is sure to advance with giant strides amongst us? We know that even now, in spite of all our efforts, GOD’S Sabbaths are fearfully profaned. Though our churches are multiplied on every hand, and those schools in which our children are trained for the Church on earth, and, as we trust, for the Church eternally, in Heaven, are increased, yet much remains to be accomplished ere the “way” of the “LORD be known upon earth, His saving health among all nations.” {16} The mountains of unbelief have yet to be laid low, the valleys of ignorance and vice to be exalted, before MESSIAH, in His onward and triumphant march, can receive the homage of those hearts which He has purchased with His own most precious blood, ere He can enter upon the glories of that universal kingdom in which “all shall know Him from the least to the greatest.” {17a} Let it then be ours to use every effort to “prepare the way of the LORD,” that so we may be the blessed instruments of advancing the REDEEMER’S kingdom upon earth. Amongst us, let His name and His Sabbaths be honoured and reverenced; and, above all, let us unite in earnest prayer to Him who can “destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent,” {17b} that He may frustrate the designs of those who would array themselves against Him, that they may be put to shame and confusion, and so His promise be fulfilled, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” {17c}